VAUGHAN, ON, Dec. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released a comprehensive report on missing and unsolved murdered indigenous people in OPP jurisdiction. The report was released at a news conference today by Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) HAWKES and Detective Superintendent Dave TRUAX of OPP Criminal Investigation Services who were accompanied by Ontario Regional Chief Isadore DAY and Deputy Grand Chief Denise STONEFISH of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians.

Beginning in 2011, the OPP began proactively reviewing all available information on homicide investigations and unsolved missing persons and unidentified remains in OPP jurisdiction where the victim was identified or self-identified as Aboriginal. The report covers a period from 1956 to 2014.

To the end of 2014, there were 54 homicides involving Indigenous females on OPP jurisdiction; eight (8) of which remain unsolved for a clearance rate of 85.2 per cent. Of the 46 solved female Indigenous homicides;

9 were murdered by family member;17 were murdered by Domestic Partner/Spouse;19 were murdered by persons known to victim;1 was of Unknown Circumstances.For the period of 1978 to December 2014, inclusive, there were 126 homicides of Indigenous males in OPP jurisdiction – only one remains unsolved for a clearance rate of 99.2 per cent. Of the 125 cases that were solved:

35 were murdered by Family members;10 were murdered by Domestic Partner/Spouse;70 were murdered by persons known to victim;9 were of Unknown circumstances; and,1 is not available.During the same period, there were eight (8) missing Indigenous females reported to the OPP who remain missing – foul play is possible or suspected in one (1) of these occurrences. Presently, there are 39 cases that involve missing Indigenous males. Police believe foul play is possible or suspected for 22 missing Indigenous men; 17 are considered missing persons.

The OPP Report on Missing And Unsolved Murdered Indigenous People In OPP Jurisdiction is currently available in English via the OPP website (http://www.opp.ca/mumip) and will be translated in French, the five recognized Aboriginal languages in Ontario -- Cree, Oji-Cree, Ojibway, Oneida, and Mohawk -- and in Algonquin.

QUOTES

"We recognize that there are many unanswered questions and that we cannot reverse the outcomes for the families and loved ones of those have gone missing or were murdered. We hope information in the OPP report generates further discussion, potential leads, and/or resolution for the families and communities who have suffered loss." -- Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) HAWKES, Ontario Provincial Police

"The release of this report is timely to the start of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) National Inquiry and the release of the full report from the Truth and Reconciliation process. Now it's time to get work done based on a new social lens in Canada. Reconciliation means that all Canadians, all organizations, all political stripes and authorities, roll up their sleeves and begin to change a Nation. The Ontario Provincial Police report on missing and murdered First Nation citizens gives us a good starting point." -- Chief Isadore DAY, Ontario Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations

DID YOU KNOW

Policing responsibility in Ontario is shared by the OPP, 52 municipal and/or regional police services, and nine (9) self-directed First Nation police services. OPP jurisdiction includes geographic areas under direct OPP policing including 324 Ontario municipalities, some of which have transitioned with their records and files to the OPP in recent years, along with 38 First Nations communities the OPP polices directly or for which it administers policing. The 52 jurisdictions that are not policed by the OPP are independent or regional municipalities within the Province of Ontario that receive policing services under terms of the Police Services Act. These are self-funded, stand-alone municipal or regional police services covering their respective geographic boundaries.

"Supt. Mark Pritchard, the commander of the OPP’s aboriginal policing bureau, said the work of compiling a list of the cases and the details surrounding them began three years ago and arose out of concerns expressed by the Native Women’s Association of Canada and the Sisters in Spirit movement." (Source: Globe and Mail)- - -

Aboriginal PolicingOPP's relationship with Aboriginal communities is a core business of the organization. The OPP through developed and ongoing relationships will continue providing policing assistance to Aboriginal communities and supporting First Nations Police Services.

Principles of Quality Service

Build Relationships based on TrustHelp CommunitiesDevelop their own VisionSupport our Partners to lead sustainable Community-based Programs.The Aboriginal Policing Bureau provides service to Aboriginal communities and their policing partners through the following core functions:

Administer Policing for 19 communities, who have not yet exercised a self-directed policing option pursuant to the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement,Strategic Design and Delivery of Operational Training for First Nations Police Services,Lead Cultural, Historical and Legal Issues Training for Policing and Community Partners, andSupport our Partners to Lead Sustainable Growth of their Police Services and their Communities.Our team has strategically enhanced our ongoing mission of assisting First Nations to make informed choices about their policing needs.

We work hard to maintain our leadership position in the strategic design and delivery of training for officers and partners that meet their unique needs. We deliver support and training offered at mainstream policing academies.

Our focus on sustainable community development is delivered through training initiatives that target suicide prevention, youth empowerment and community wellness.

The OPP is pursuing Native Awareness Training for its members in a variety of formats and depths to overcome obstacles in relationships and to lay the groundwork for effective policing service to Aboriginal people and communities. The goal is to introduce First Nations issues in sufficient detail in the proper setting to allow police service providers from varied backgrounds to have the knowledge and understanding to be comfortable, confident and effective in Aboriginal environments. This focus on education communicates to OPP employees and to communities the priority that this organization places on meeting the unique needs of Aboriginal partners.

The Provincial Liaison Team (PLT) Program is an integral part of police planning and response in relation to major events and incidents, including First Nations issues, dignitary visits and other high profile situations where there is a potential for conflict. The PLT Program focuses on proactive relationship building as a means to assist in resolving issues. PLT members are active in all OPP Regions, working to establish and maintain open lines of communication with all constituents who may be affected, directly or indirectly, by major events.